NewsFetcher
Jun-20-2012, 5:20am
JazzMando What's New - We've been a huge fan of the work of John "JL" Smith and his exquisite Telecaster style electric mandolins since we first reviewed one of his 5-strings three years ago. One of his sea foam green ones even landed a permanent spot in our own arsenal of instruments, and remains a personal favorite.
http://jazzmando.com/new/assets_c/2010/07/JLSmith_Body-thumb-450x190-546.jpg
The Florida builder took a little time off in 2010 but is back in the swing again (pun very much intended) and making some great mandolins, and still at a very competitive price. Though there aren't a lot of style options, he does this one thing extremely well. His 4-strings start at $799, and you can choose from a number of pickup options.
We find the tone so good, we don't even use any effect pedals, just a hearty Fender Blues Junior tube amp for some Porterhouse steak meaty sound. Smith enjoyed a glowing review in Vintage Guitar Magazine in October 2009 (http://jazzmando.com/new/archives/001163.shtml).
Check out some of the past critters on his website. I you've been looking for "next step" electric up from a Mandobird or Saga, this would be a great choice.
Builder website: JL Smith Mandolins (http://www.jlsmithmandolins.com/)
Read JazzMando Review: JL Smith 5-string Electric (http://jazzmando.com/jl_smith_5string.shtml)
http://jazzmando.com/images/JLS_Pickguard-thumb.jpg (http://jazzmando.com/images/JLS_Pickguard.jpg)
Click for closeup
More news... (http://jazzmando.com/new/archives/001809.shtml)
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=131&pictureid=1135 (http://www.jazzmando.com/)
http://jazzmando.com/new/assets_c/2010/07/JLSmith_Body-thumb-450x190-546.jpg
The Florida builder took a little time off in 2010 but is back in the swing again (pun very much intended) and making some great mandolins, and still at a very competitive price. Though there aren't a lot of style options, he does this one thing extremely well. His 4-strings start at $799, and you can choose from a number of pickup options.
We find the tone so good, we don't even use any effect pedals, just a hearty Fender Blues Junior tube amp for some Porterhouse steak meaty sound. Smith enjoyed a glowing review in Vintage Guitar Magazine in October 2009 (http://jazzmando.com/new/archives/001163.shtml).
Check out some of the past critters on his website. I you've been looking for "next step" electric up from a Mandobird or Saga, this would be a great choice.
Builder website: JL Smith Mandolins (http://www.jlsmithmandolins.com/)
Read JazzMando Review: JL Smith 5-string Electric (http://jazzmando.com/jl_smith_5string.shtml)
http://jazzmando.com/images/JLS_Pickguard-thumb.jpg (http://jazzmando.com/images/JLS_Pickguard.jpg)
Click for closeup
More news... (http://jazzmando.com/new/archives/001809.shtml)
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=131&pictureid=1135 (http://www.jazzmando.com/)